49ers roster: 53-man bubble watch with 2022 minicamp in the books
By Peter Panacy
49ers bubble watch: Offensive line
Lock: Aaron Banks, Jake Brendel, Daniel Brunskill, Spencer Burford*, Mike McGlinchey, Trent Williams
Strong bubble: Dohnovan West*, Colton McKivitz, Jaylon Moore, Justin Skule, Nick Zakelj*
Weak bubble: Jason Poe*, Keaton Sutherland
Long shot: Alfredo Gutierrez, Sam Schlueter*
Some real drama now.
In the wake of Alex Mack’s retirement, San Francisco has that glaring hole at center, but OTA and minicamp workouts suggest Jake Brendel will be slated as the starting center moving forward.
This also bodes well for the undrafted rookie, Dohnovan West, to surprise as a 53-man roster addition and as Brendel’s primary backup.
The rest of the starting positions aren’t too debatable, although there’s concern about second-year man Aaron Banks being ready to take over at left guard in the wake of Laken Tomlinson departing in free agency for the New York Jets. Right tackle Mike McGlinchey, too, is still working his way back from an offseason quad tear suffered a year ago.
That points to the depth as the next focal point.
Two other drafted rookies, Spencer Burford and Nick Zakelj, may challenge returning linemen like Colton McKivitz, Jaylon Moore and Justin Skule for a roster spot. But Skule has primarily been taking starting snaps as McGlinchey recovers, so that bodes well for the former Vanderbilt product.
The 49ers likely have room for three of those final five names, so this should be a pretty spicy competition to watch in training camp.